Buying comics can be an expensive hobby. A lot of fans simply can’t afford everything they’re interested in, due to rising prices and the over-saturation of the market with superhero titles.
That’s why we’re here. Every week, the Multiversity staff is asked “What would you buy this week if you couldn’t go over $20?” and shares their reasons why, in order to help others who might have similar tastes make their own decisions in buying comics on a budget.
Follow the cut to see everyone’s picks for the week.
Venom #9 ($2.99) – I always liked Venom as a kid, and so far I’m rather enjoying what Remender is doing with Flash as the main character. I think the book is still generally trying to get a feel for itself in the grand scheme of things (first arc had a shifting art team, second found itself mixed up in a crossover), but as the aftermath dies down and we get Stefano Caselli on art, I’m quite looking forward to this week’s issue.
Amazing Spider-Man #674 ($3.99) – Dan Slott begins year two of his Spider-Man run, and with it we get Giuseppe Camuncoli on pencils and legend Klaus Janson on inks. I can only assume good things are contained within these pages.
Mudman #1 ($3.50) – Part of me is sad that it appears Paul Grist has left Jack Staff and his Weird World seemingly abandoned, but I was also the only person I know reading that ongoing. So, ok, fine. Let’s see what Mudman is all about then.
Morning Glories #14 ($2.99) – Duh.
Punisher #5 ($2.99) – Gotta love a book when it’s uber-famous lead character is more of a deadly footnote lurking in the shadows rather than an overt and trite force of destruction. Also gotta love Greg Rucka and Marco Checcetto kicking ass together on a book.
Generation Hope #13 ($2.99) – The weird and annoying fan in me is sad and confused as to why Kieron Gillen’s name isn’t on the cover, but the optimist in me is willing to see what James Asmus has planned.
Total: $19.45
Gil’s Picks
Avengers Academy #22 ($2.99) — This book is getting even better! How is that possible?
Batman #3 ($2.99) — I hate the fact a Batman title made it into my $20, but this book is that good. In a sea of terrible Batman books, it’s like a shining light. A beacon, if you will.
Justice League #3 ($3.99) — This book is just a lot of fun. Sure feels a little like Johns is taking cues from Bendis when he formed the New Avengers 7 years ago, but that’s not a bad thing. The thing about this is that the art is much better.
Morning Glories #14 ($2.99) — Yay Morning Glories! Yay Spencer and Eisma! This book rocks, yay!
Supergirl #3 ($2.99) — Supergirl’s a lot of fun, yo. And now she’s meeting Clark for the first time, and not utrying to pummel him! What will happen here?
Wonder Woman #3 ($2.99) — Superheroics and mythology? YES! I’m starting to wonder if the baby involved is Wonder Girl, however. Just a thought.
Total: $18.94
OR! If superheroes aren’t exactly your cup of tea:
Scalped Volume 8: You Gotta Sin to Get Saved TP ($17.99) — This book is so good! It’s a shame I didn’t catch up until it was so late in the game, because having the singles would be nice. However, these trades are beautiful, and will lessen the blow when an Absolute Scalped inevitably comes out and I can’t afford it. I will then cry sad tears into my trades and love them regardless.
Total: $17.99
David’s Picks
Skullkickers Vol. 2 Five Funerals and a Bucket of Blood ($16.99) – This week is a little on the underwhelming side for me – a lot of books, but not much that makes me really excited. However, before I went on my brief comic book hiatus, Skullkickers was entertaining the living hell out of me. With a pull box curiously devoid of Skullkickers issues, I’m eager to get caught up, and this trade paperback will be a great step in that direction. In case you’re not reading this book, Jim Zubkavich and Edwin Huang are telling a highly entertaining and original romp in this book. If you’re not reading it, you’re missing out.
Avengers Academy #22 ($2.99) – I love this book long time. I loved it before the slight change in direction writer Christos Gage took us in last issue, and I love it after. This issue finds Magneto meeting up with the kids, which, frankly, should be entertaining as all hell. Can’t wait!
Total: $19.98
Walt’s Picks
Batman #3 ($2.99) – Scott Snyder gets Batman better than anyone that has been writing comics since I started reading them. Sorry, Grant. That, and the Court of Owls are pretty much the only new villains from this whole DCnU nonsense that seem a) particularly menacing and/or b) at all interesting. And goddamn I have completely changed my mind about Greg Capullo. What outstanding sequential art, man. For someone who hates anything associated with Spawn or [name redacted, that just isn’t nice], admitting that is quite a step to take.
Zorro Rides Again #5 ($3.99) – Very few $3.99 comics are actually worth $3.99. This is one of the few ones that are. I would pay $5 for this comic. In fact, I tried to last month, but the woman that works at my LCBS said she wasn’t allowed to do that. Yes, that’s made up, but I’m running out of ways to say for the love of God why aren’t you reading Matt Wagner’s Zorro run?.
Ultimate Comics X-Men #3 ($3.99) – I’ll be honest. Everything written by Spencer that has been published by Marvel has, in my opinion, been either mediocre or terrible. Except for this. I loved Millar’s original Ultimate X-Men, and I enjoyed Brian K. Vaughan’s run a good deal. Everything after that? So bad it made me weep blood. Spencer seems to have a good idea of what he’s doing, and the different definition of “mutant” in the Ultimate Universe lets him have a good amount of free reign. Count me in.
X-Factor #227 ($2.99) – X-Factor is consistently good, but not consistently great. Originally I wasn’t going to include this, but, what the hey, someone is supposedly dying. I’m a sucker, I know.
Total: $13.96. It’s a light week in terms of what I’m interested in. This is going to make The Weekend Week In Review all kinds of awful “fun.”
Brian’s Picks
Justice League #3 ($3.99) – Darkseid redesign notwithstanding, seeing Jim Lee pencil a monthly book is a treat. Let’s hope he can keep up with it.
Walking Dead #91 ($2.99) – My LCBS says they can barely keep this in stock. That is a very good thing, as it has been, and continues to be, one of the best comics of late. Despite being an unabashed fan of superhero comics, it is good for the industry to have all sorts of successful books – so yeah, buy this book for none of those reasons, but because it is really good.
Batman #3/ Nightwing #3 ($2.99 each) – I still wish that Scott Snyder was writing Dick Grayson, but that is alleviated by having two great books coming out instead of one. Maybe my two favorite books of the New 52.
The Shade #2 ($2.99) – I wasn’t as enamored with the first issue as I should have been, as a Starman enthusiast, but certainly enjoyed it enough to go back for another try.
Supergirl #3 ($2.99) – I expected absolutely nothing from this book, and yet have enjoyed it a lot so far. Who’d have thought two guys who wrote for Smallville could come up with a story this fun, where super people do super things, and not just brood and look good?
Total: $19.94
Brandon’s Picks
Wonder Woman #3 ($2.99) — I wasn’t entirely sold on the first issue but the second issue did the job. Now the real question is whether this issue will maintain the momentum or return back to the meh category. I feel it’d be hard for that to happen at this point but crazier things have happened.
Avengers Academy #22 ($2.99) — Last issue was the beginning of the new direction and an awesome new direction it seems to be. I am really amped for this book. My excitement for this book is only behind that of Batman this week.
Batman #3 ($2.99) — I love this book. Love. Love. Love. The story from Scott Snyder has been engaging and the art has been some of my favorite from Greg Capullo. The two have got some serious synergy going right now and Batman and the fans are reaping the rewards as a result.
New Mutants #34 ($2.99) — BLINK! I love Blink and this issue would make the list for just having her return finally, even if it isn’t AoA Blink, but the last issue was really good as well and I am stoked for the new direction. Put this all together and you’ve got a book that’s coming home with me.
X-Factor #227 ($2.99) — A member of X-Factor dies here! I think this will be a cop out and Pip is going to die or something of that nature but all the same this is a good book. If you aren’t buying X-Factor than you are doing yourself a serious disservice.
Green Lantern Corps #3 ($2.99) — Guy Gardner!
Total: $17.94
